Judge allows homewrecker lawsuit against former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to proceed in North Carolina
Quick Look
A U.S. district judge ruled that former Senator Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina's alienation of affection law after finding that nine text messages she sent to her bodyguard while he was in the state establish jurisdiction, rejecting her argument of no connection to North Carolina.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
North Carolina is among a small number of states that allow jilted spouses to sue for 'alienation of affection' to obtain damages from a third party deemed responsible for a broken marriage. The lawsuit was filed by Heather Ammel, the ex-wife of Matthew Ammel, who was a member of Kyrsten Sinema's security detail.
A judge has cleared the way for former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to be sued under North Carolina’s homewrecker law.
Sinema tried to argue she shouldn’t face a lawsuit over her relationship with a member of her security detail in North Carolina because she has no connection to the state.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected that claim and ruled that nine text messages sent to Matthew Ammel, her bodyguard, while he was in the state establish North Carolina's jurisdiction over her. He called it implausible that she was unaware of Ammel's whereabouts when texting him.
Steven Epstein, Sinema's attorney, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
The legal action, brought by Ammel’s ex-wife, seeks financial compensation from Sinema, who represented Arizona in the U.S. House and later completed a single term in the Senate early last year.
North Carolina is among a small number of states allowing jilted spouses to bring suits for "alienation of affection" to obtain damages from a third party deemed responsible for a broken marriage.
Matthew and Heather Ammel maintained "a good and loving marriage" with "genuine love and affection" prior to Sinema’s interference, pursuing Matthew Ammel despite knowing he was married, Heather Ammel alleges in her lawsuit.
Matthew Ammel joined Sinema's security team after retiring from the Army in 2022 and accompanied her on domestic and foreign travel, the complaint states.
In early 2024, Heather Ammel discovered "romantic and lascivious" messages exchanged between her husband and Sinema on the Signal messaging app. By that summer, he stopped wearing his wedding ring, and Sinema appointed him as a national security fellow in her Senate office as he continued working as a campaign bodyguard, the lawsuit states.
During a deposition in July, Sinema described their sexual encounters, testifying the relationship became sexual on May 27, 2024, during a trip to Napa, California. She stated they later had encounters in New York, Washington, Colorado and Arizona, but never North Carolina.
Matthew and Heather Ammel separated on Nov. 1, 2024.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The case will proceed to trial in North Carolina unless settled or dismissed on other grounds
Likely · Within months
Kyrsten Sinema will not comment publicly on the case until after legal proceedings conclude
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What amount of financial compensation is Heather Ammel seeking?
- Will Kyrsten Sinema appeal the jurisdictional ruling?
- What evidence will be presented at trial regarding the nature of the relationship?
- How might this case affect the future use of alienation of affection laws in other states?
